BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AMENDED AGENDA
Meetings are located at: Yuba County Government Center Board
Chambers, 915 Eighth Street Marysville, California
Agenda materials are available at the Yuba
County Government Center, 915 8 th
Street,
session item and distributed to all or a
majority of the Board less than 72 hours prior
to the meeting is available for public
inspection at Suite 109 of the Government
Center during normal business hours.
MAY 24, 2016
8:30 A.M. YUBA COUNTY WATER AGENCY
9:30 A.M. YUBA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - Welcome to the Yuba
County Board of Supervisors meeting. As a
courtesy to others, please turn off cell phones, pagers, or other
electronic devices, which might disrupt the meeting. All
items on the agenda other than Correspondence and Board and Staff
Members Reports are considered items for which
the Board may take action. The public will be given opportunity to
comment on action items on the agenda when the item
is heard and comments shall be limited to three minutes per
individual or group.
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Supervisor Griego
II. ROLL CALL - Supervisors Vasquez, Nicoletti, Griego, Abe,
Fletcher
III. CONSENT AGENDA: All matters listed under the Consent Agenda
are considered to be routine and can be
enacted in one motion.
1. (213-0516) Approve first amendment to Vanir Construction
Management contract authorizing Phase 2
development process for Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility Project
and authorize Chair to execute.
B. Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
1. (214-0516) Approve meeting minutes of May 10, 2016.
C. Community Development and Services
1. (215-0516) Approve Joint Powers Agreement with Butte County for
Los Verjeles Bridge Project and authorize
Chair to execute.
2. (216-0516) Adopt resolution authorizing Director of
Environmental Health to submit Local Area Management
Plan (LAMP); draft ordinance and LAMP checklist; and draft On-site
Wastewater Treatment System Technical
Manual. (Land Use of Public Works Committee recommends
approval)
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/owts/docs/owts_policy.pdf
1. (217-0516) Adopt resolution proclaiming the existence of ongoing
local drought emergency in Yuba County
pursuant to Government Code 8630.
IV. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: Any person may speak about any subject
of concern provided it is within the
jurisdiction of the Board of Supervisors and is not already on
today's agenda. The total amount of time allotted
for receiving such public communication shall be limited to a total
of 15 minutes and each individual or group will
be limited to no more than three minutes. Prior to this time
speakers are requested to fill out a "Request to
Speak" card and submit it to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
Please note: No Board action can be taken
on comments made under this heading.
V. COUNTY DEPARTMENTS
1. (218-0516) Adopt resolution authorizing cat adoption fee waiver
for period beginning June 1 through June 30,
2016. (Ten minute estimate)
VI. CORRESPONDENCE: The Board may direct any item of informational
correspondence to a department head
for appropriate action.
A. (219-0516) Notice from California Governor's Office of Emergency
Services requesting Yuba County be designated
a disaster area due to weather related crop losses.
B. (220-0516) Letter from State Department of Veterans Affairs
regarding local benefit payments.
VII. BOARD AND STAFF MEMBERS’ REPORTS: This time is provided to
allow Board and staff members to report
on activities or to raise issues for placement on future
agendas.
VIII. CLOSED SESSION
Negotiating Parties: Abel
B. Pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.9(e)(1) - One case
IX. ADJOURN
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the meeting
room is wheelchair accessible and disabled parking is available. If
you have a
disability and need disability-related modifications or
accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact the
Clerk of the Board's office at (530)
749-7510 or (530) 749-7353 (fax). Requests must be made two full
business days before the start of the meeting. To place an item on
the agenda, contact
the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
(213-0516) Appro... - 1 of 4
(213-0516) Appro... - 2 of 4
(213-0516) Appro... - 3 of 4
(213-0516) Appro... - 4 of 4
(214-0516) Appro... - 1 of 6
(214-0516) Appro... - 2 of 6
(214-0516) Appro... - 3 of 6
(214-0516) Appro... - 4 of 6
(214-0516) Appro... - 5 of 6
(214-0516) Appro... - 6 of 6
(215-0516) Appro... - 1 of 6
(215-0516) Appro... - 2 of 6
(215-0516) Appro... - 3 of 6
(215-0516) Appro... - 4 of 6
(215-0516) Appro... - 5 of 6
(215-0516) Appro... - 6 of 6
(216-0516) Adopt... - 1 of 132
(216-0516) Adopt... - 2 of 132
(216-0516) Adopt... - 3 of 132
(216-0516) Adopt... - 4 of 132
(216-0516) Adopt... - 5 of 132
(216-0516) Adopt... - 6 of 132
E. Rapport, Revised 10 Feb 2015
YUBA COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 201604120
PROPOSED LOCAL CODES IN COMPLIANCE WITH OWTS POLICY
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LAMPs
OWTS Policy Section Summary
Region 5 Comments (These do not replace your review of OWTS Policy.
Italics and websites are specific explanations, more detailed than
in the Policy.)
Relevant LAMP Section
Legal Authority/ Code Section
3.3 Annual Reporting For Section 3.3 et seq, describe your program
for annual reporting to Central Valley Regional Water Quality
Control Board (Central Valley Water Board) staff in a tabular
spreadsheet format.
LAMPsec3_3 NA
3.3.1 Complaints Include numbers and locations of complaints,
related investigations, and means of resolution. LAMPsec9_2_3
NA
3.3.2 OWTS Cleaning Include applications and registrations issued
as part of the local cleaning registration pursuant to California
Health and Safety Code §117400 et seq.
LAMPsec3_3_2
3.3.3 Permits for New and Replacement OWTS
Include numbers and locations of permits for new and replacement
OWTS, and their Tiers. LAMPsec3_3
3.4 Permanent Records Describe your program for permanently
retaining records, and means of making them available to Central
Valley Water Board staff within 10 working days of a written
request.
LAMPsec3_4
3.5 Notifications to Municipal Water Suppliers
Describe your program for notifying public well and water intake
owners, and the California Department of Public Health.
Notification shall be as soon as practicable, but no later than 72
hours upon discovery of a failing OWTS, as described in Sections
11.1 and 11.2, within setbacks described in Sections 7.5.6 through
7.5.10.
LAMPsec3_5
9.0 Minimum OWTS Standards
This Section is an introduction; we require no specific LAMP
Section citation here. Not applicable
9.1 Considerations for LAMPs
For Section 9.1 et seq., provide your commitment to evaluate
complaints, variances, failures, and inspections in Section 9.3.2
(Water Quality Assessment); and your proposed means of assessment
to achieve this Policy's purpose of protecting water quality and
human health.
9.1.1 Degree of vulnerability due to local hydrogeology
Describe your commitment, and proposed means to identify
hydrogeologically vulnerable areas for Section 9.3.2, after
compiling monitoring data. Discuss appropriate related siting
restrictions and design criteria to protect water quality and
public health. Qualified professionals ("Definitions," page 9 in
the Policy) should identify hydrogeologically vulnerable areas.
Such professionals, where appropriate during a Water Quality
Assessment, should generally consider locally reasonable
percolation rates of least permeable relevant soil horizons, best
available evidence of seasonally shallowest groundwater (including,
but not limited to, soil mottling and gleying, static water levels
of nearby wells and springs, and local drainage patterns), threats
to receptors (supply wells and surface water), and potential
geotechnical issues (including, but not limited to, potentially
adverse dips of bedding, foliations, and fractures in
bedrock).
LAMPsec9_1_1
On-Site Sewage LAMP
High quality waters and other environmental conditions requiring
enhanced protection
Describe special restrictions to meet water quality and public
health goals pursuant to all Federal, State, and local plans and
orders. Especially consider appropriate alternatives to those
provided in Section 7.8, Allowable Average Density Requirements
under Tier 1. See also: State Water Resources Control Board
Resolution No. 68-16.
LAMPsec9_1_2
9.1.3 Shallow soils requiring non-standard dispersal systems
We interpret "shallow" soils generally to mean thin soils overlying
bedrock or highest seasonal groundwater. Dependent on threats to
receptors, highest seasonal groundwater can locally include perched
and intermittent saturated zones, as well as the shallowest local
hydraulically unconfined aquifer unit. See Section 8.1.5 for
Minimum Depths to Groundwater under Tier 1. Qualified professionals
should make appropriate determinations on the design and
construction of non- standard dispersal systems due to shallow
soils.
LAMPsec9_1_3
9.1.4 High domestic well usage areas
Our key potential concerns are nitrate and pathogen transport
toward receptor wells, especially in areas with existing OWTS
already prone to soft failures (OWTS failures not evident at
grade). Appropriate qualified professionals should consider
reasonable pollutant flow paths toward domestic wells, at minimum
based on; publically available nitrate concentrations in local
wells, published technical literature on local wastewater and
non-wastewater nitrate sources, well constructions, pumping
demands, and vulnerability of wells due to local hydrogeology. For
pathogens, qualified professionals should ensure that field methods
are sufficient to mitigate the potential for false positives.
LAMPsec9_1_4
NA
9.1.5 Fractured bedrock
Where warranted, appropriate qualified professionals should assess
permeability trends of water- bearing fractures, and related
potential pathways of effluent toward receptors, including but not
limited to, domestic wells and surface water. The professionals
should also consider potential geotechnical issues. We suggest
consideration of fractured bedrock in concert with percolation
rates of overlying soils; either very high or low percolation rates
might warrant siting restrictions or non-standard dispersal
systems. See also State Water Resources Control Board Order WQ
2014- 0153-DWQ, Attachment 1, page 1-3, Item A-3.
LAMPsec9_1_5
9.1.6 Poorly drained soils Appropriate qualified professionals
should give criteria for determination of representative
percolation rates, including but not limited to, general site
evaluation, trench logging, pre-soak and measurement methods of
percolation tests, and acceptable alternatives for percolation
tests.
LAMPsec9_1_6 OWTS_MAN_Ch 9
Our key potential concern is eutrophication of fresh surface water.
While typically with relatively low mobility in groundwater and
recently informally banned in dishwater detergents, phosphate is a
common cause. At minimum, describe appropriate qualified
professionals who will consider potential pathways of
wastewater-sourced phosphate and other nutrients toward potentially
threatened nearby surface bodies.
LAMPsec9_1_7
NA
9.1.8 Impaired water bodies Wolf Creek, Nevada County, and Woods
Creek, Tuolumne County will require Tier 3 Advanced Protection
Management Programs. This applies to Nevada, Placer, and Tuolumne
Counties. See Attachment 2 of the OWTS Policy.
LAMPsec9_1_8
NA
9.1.9 High OWTS density areas
Where nitrate is an identified chronic issue, at minimum, consider
nitrogen loading per area; for example, see Hantzsche and Finnemore
(1992), Crites and Tchobanoglous (1998), and more recent
publications as appropriate.
LAMPsec9_1_9
NA
On-Site Sewage LAMP
April 2016
Page | 3
9.1.10 Limits to parcel size At minimum, consider hydraulic
mounding, nitrate and pathogen loading, and sufficiency of
potential replacement areas.
LAMPsec9_1_10 NA
9.1.11 areas with OWTS that predate adopted standards
This refers to areas with known, multiple existing OWTS.
LAMPsec9_1_11 NA
9.1.12
areas with OWTS either within prescriptive, Tier 1 setbacks, or
within setbacks that a Local Agency finds appropriate
This refers to areas with known, multiple existing OWTS.
LAMPsec9_1_12
OWTS_MAN_Ch 8
9.2 Scope of Coverage: For Section 9.2 et seq, provide details on
scope of coverage, for example maximum authorized projected flows,
allowable system types, and their related requirements for site
evaluation, siting, and design and construction requirements.
9.2.1 Installation and Inspection Permits
Permits generally cover procedures for inspections, maintenance and
repair of OWTS, including assurances that such work on failing
systems is under permit; see Tier 4.
LAMPsec9_2_1
9.2.2 Special Provision Areas and Requirements near Impaired Water
Bodies
Wolf Creek, Nevada County, and Woods Creek, Tuolumne County will
require Tier 3 Advanced Protection Management Programs. This
applies to Nevada, Placer, and Tuolumne Counties. See Attachment 2
of the OWTS Policy.
LAMPsec9_2_2
NA
9.2.3 LAMP Variance Procedures
Variances for new installations and repairs should be in
substantial conformance to the Policy, to the greatest extent
practicable. Variances cannot authorize prohibited items in Section
9.4.
LAMPsec9_2_3 OWTS_ORD_DE VIATIONS
Qualifications generally cover requirements for education,
training, and licensing. We suggest that Local Agencies review
information available from the California Onsite Water Association
(COWA), see:
LAMPsec9_2_4
NA
http://www.cowa.org/
9.2.5 Education and Outreach for OWTS Owners
Education and Outreach generally supports owners on locating,
operating, and maintaining OWTS . At minimum, ensure that you will
require OWTS designers and installers to provide owners with
sufficient information to address critical maintenance, repairs,
and parts replacements within 48 hours of failure; see also Tier 4.
Also, provide information to appropriate volunteer groups. At
minimum, we suggesting providing this information on your
webpage.
LAMPsec9_2_5
9.2.6 Septage Disposal Assess existing and proposed disposal
locations, and their adequacy. LAMPsec9_2_6
9.2.7 Maintenance Districts and Zones
These generally refer to Homeowners Associations, special
maintenance districts, and similar responsible entities.
Requirements for responsible entities should generally reflect the
Local Agency's judgment on minimum sizes of subdivisions that could
potentially cause environmental impacts. LAMPs should ensure that
responsible entities have the financial resources, stability, legal
authority, and professional qualifications to operate community
OWTS.
LAMPsec9_2_7
NA
Consider development and implementation of, or coordination with,
Regional Salt and Nutrient Management Plans; see also State Board
Resolution 2009-0011:
LAMPsec9_2_8 NA
On-Site Sewage LAMP
9.2.10 Proximity of Collection Systems to New or Replacement
OWTS
Evaluate proximity of sewer systems to new and replacement OWTS.
See also Section 9.4.9. LAMPsec9_2_10 OWTS_ORD_SE WER
9.2.11
Public Water System Notification prior to permitting OWTS
Installation or Repairs
Give your notification procedures to inform public water services
of pending OWTS installations and repairs within prescribed setback
distances.
LAMPsec9_2_11
NA
9.2.12
Policies for Dispersal Areas within Setbacks of Public Wells and
Surface Water Intakes
Discuss supplemental treatments; see Sections 10.9 and 10.10. A
Local Agency can propose alternate criteria; however we will need
rationale in detail.
LAMPsec9_2_12
NA
Provide plans and schedule. LAMPsec9_2_13 OWTS_ORD_CE SSPOOL
9.3 Minimum Local Agency Management Responsibilities:
For Section 9.3 et seq, discuss minimum responsibilities for LAMP
management. Responsibilities should generally cover data
compilation, water quality assessment, follow-up on issues, and
reporting to the Central Valley Water Board:
9.3.1 Permit Records, OWTS with Variances
Describe your records maintenance; numbers, locations, and
descriptions of permits where you have granted variances.
LAMPsec9_3_1 NA
9.3.2 Water Quality Assessment Program:
In the Water Quality Assessment Program, generally focus on areas
with characteristics covered in Section 9.1. Include monitoring and
analysis of water quality data, complaints, variances, failures,
and inspections. Also include appropriate monitoring for nitrate
and pathogens; you can use information from other programs. We are
available to provide further guidance on reporting requirements. In
the interim, to assist with analyses and evaluation reports
(Section 9.3.3), we suggest posting data on appropriate maps; for
example consider the following links:
LAMPsec9_3_2
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ca/home/
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/emon/grndwtr/gwpa_maps.htm
http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/maps/mapview/
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/information/publications/ms/Documents/MS58.pdf
On-Site Sewage LAMP
9.3.2.1 Domestic Well Sampling
Apply your best professional judgment to ensure that well sampling
focuses on hydrogeologically reasonable pollutant (primarily
nitrate) flow paths. A qualified professional should generally
design an appropriate directed, judgmental, sample (i.e.,
statistically non-random). Of the links provided, the Geotracker
GAMA website might be particularly useful to the professional; at
minimum we suggest reviews of available nitrate data in relevant
domestic wells, up-gradient, within, and down- gradient of an area
of interest. For some instances, for example where a developer
proposes a relatively large project, a Local Agency might require a
special study to distinguish between wastewater and non-wastewater
sourced nitrate. In such cases, we suggest your consideration of
requiring focused sampling and analyses, for example of δ
18 O and δ
15 N of nitrate (Megan Young,
USGS, 2014 pers comm), and the artificial sweeteners sucralose and
acesulfame-K (Buerge et al 2009, Van Stempvoort et al 2011, and
more recent publications as they become available).
LAMPsec9_3_2_1
9.3.2.2 Domestic Well Sampling, Routine Real Estate Transfer
Related
This applies only if those samples are routinely performed and
reported. LAMPsec9_3_2_2
NA
Reviews can be by you or another municipality. LAMPsec9_3_2_3
NA
9.3.2.4 Domestic Well Sampling, New Well Development
This applies if those data are reported. LAMPsec9_3_2_4 NA
9.3.2.5 Beach Water Quality Sampling, H&S Code §115885
Public beaches include those on freshwater. LAMPsec9_3_2_5
NA
9.3.2.6 Receiving Water Sampling Related to NPDES Permits
This refers to existing data from other monitoring programs.
LAMPsec9_3_2_6 NA
9.3.2.7 Data contained in California Water Quality Assessment
Database
This refers to existing data from other monitoring programs.
9.3.2.8 Groundwater Sampling Related to Waste Discharge
Requirements
This refers to existing data from other monitoring programs.
NA
This refers to existing data from other monitoring programs.
9.3.3 Annual Status Reports Covering 9.3.1-9.3.2
Reports are due 1 February, annually beginning one year after
Regional Board approves LAMP. Every fifth year also include an
evaluation report. Submit all groundwater monitoring data in
Electronic Delivery Format (EDF) for Geotracker; submit all surface
water data to CEDEN.
LAMPsec9_3_3
NA
9.4 Not Allowed or Authorized in LAMP:
For Section 9.4 et seq, ensure that your LAMP covers
prohibitions.
9.4.1 Cesspools Local Agencies cannot authorize cesspools of any
kind or size. LAMPsec9_4_1 OWTS_ORD_CE SSPOOL
9.4.2 Projected Flow>10,000 gpd
Apply professional judgment to further limit projected flows.
LAMPsec9_4_2
(216-0516) Adopt... - 11 of 132
On-Site Sewage LAMP
For example, Local Agencies cannot authorize effluent disposal
using sprinklers, exposed drip lines, free-surface wetlands, and
ponds.
LAMPsec9_4_3 OWTS_ORD_SE WAGE_DISPOSA L
9.4.5
IAPMO, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials. Decreased leaching area refers to alternatives to
conventional (stone-and-pipe) dispersal systems; these alternatives
require relatively less area. The multiplier, <1, allows for a
reduction in dispersal field area relative to a conventional
system.
LAMPsec9_4_5
NA
9.4.6
Supplemental Treatments without Monitoring and Inspection
Therefore, ensure that the LAMP describes periodic inspection and
monitoring for OWTS with supplemental treatments.
LAMPsec9_4_6
9.4.7 Significant Wastes from RV Holding Tanks
We interpret significant amounts to mean amounts greater than
incidental dumping, such that volume, frequency, overall strength,
or chemical additives preclude definition as domestic wastewater;
see Definitions in OWTS Policy. See also, State Water Resources
Control Board Order WQ 2014-0153-DWQ, Attachment B-2.
LAMPsec9_4_7
9.4.8 Encroachment Above Groundwater
Bottom of OWTS dispersal systems cannot be less than 2 feet above
groundwater, or bottom of seepage pits, less than 10 feet above
groundwater. We interpret groundwater to include inter-flow and
perched zones, along with the shallowest main unconfined aquifer.
Degree of vulnerability to pollution due to hydrogeological
conditions, Section 9.1.1, and the Water Quality Assessment,
Section 9.3.2., should cover in detail means of assessing
seasonally shallowest depth to groundwater.
LAMPsec9_4_8
9.4.9 Installations Near Existing Sewers
New and replacement OWTS cannot occur on any lot with available
public sewers less than 200 feet from a building or exterior
drainage facility (exception; connection fees plus construction
costs are greater than 2 times the replacement OWTS costs, and
Local Agency determines no impairment to any drinking water.)
LAMPsec9_4_9 OWTS_ORD_SE WER
9.4.10 Minimum Setbacks: These setbacks are from public water
systems. LAMPsec9_4_10
9.4.10.1 From Public Supply Wells
If the dispersal system is less than 10' in depth, then the setback
must be greater than150' from public water supply well.
OWTS_ORD_SE TBACKS
9.4.10.2
If the dispersal system is greater than10' in depth, then the
setback must be greater than 200' from public water supply
well.
OWTS_ORD_SE TBACKS
9.4.10.3 From Public Supply Wells, Regarding Pathogens
If the dispersal system is greater than 20' in depth, and less than
600' from public water supply well, then the setback must be
greater than the distance for two-year travel time of
microbiological contaminants, as determined by qualified
professional. In no case shall the setback be less than 200'.
OWTS_ORD_SE TBACKS
On-Site Sewage LAMP
9.4.10.4 From Public Surface Water Supplies
If the dispersal system is less than 1,200' from public water
system's surface water intake, within its drainage catchment, and
potentially threatens an intake, then the setback must be greater
than 400' from the high water mark of the surface water body.
9.4.10.5 From Public Surface Water Supplies
If the dispersal system is greater than1,200,'but less than 2,500,'
from public water system's surface water intake, within its
drainage catchment, and potentially threatens an intake, then the
setback must be greater than 200' from high water mark of surface
water body.
9.4.11
Supplemental Treatments, Replacement OWTS That Do Not Meet Minimum
Setback Requirements
Replacement OWTS shall meet minimum horizontal setbacks to the
maximum extent practicable. LAMPsec9_4_11
9.4.12
Supplemental Treatments, New OWTS That Do Not Meet Minimum Setback
Requirements
New OWTS shall meet minimum horizontal setbacks to the maximum
extent practicable, and meet requirements for pathogens as
specified in Section 10.8. and any other Local Agency's mitigation
measures.
LAMPsec9_4_12
9.5 Technical Support of LAMP
Include adequate detail to ensure that the combination of all
proposed criteria will protect water quality and public health
sufficiently to warrant the Central Valley Water Board's waiver of
Waste Discharge Requirements, pursuant to §13269, California Water
Code.
LAMPsec9_5
9.6 Regional Water Quality Control Board Consideration of
LAMP
Regional Boards shall consider past performance of local programs
to protect water quality. We will generally consider past
performance based on our reviews of annual status and evaluation
reports; see Section 9.3.3.
LAMPsec9_6
ARTICLE 1
X.XX.XXX Purpose
B. Establish an administrative framework allowing the adoption of
science-based minimum
standards for design, construction, installation, operation,
maintenance, monitoring,
replacement, alteration, enlargement, repair and destruction of
on-site treatment,
conveyance, and disposal systems,
C. Provide for compliance and enforcement of a comprehensive
on-site regulatory program,
D. Ensure compliance with standards, laws, and guidelines as
adopted, and/or modified by the
State of California, Water Resources Control Board or Regional
Water Quality Control Boards.
X.XX.XXX Legal Authority
The State of California Water Resources Control Board, through the
Regional Water Quality Control
Boards, requires local agencies to adopt Waste Discharge
Requirements for all individual disposal
systems or Community Collection and Treatment Systems that use
subsurface disposal. The Central
Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) provides that
these Waste Discharge
Requirements for Yuba County may be satisfied by an ordinance in
compliance with the provisions
of the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.
DEFINITIONS
7.07.010 General
The following words and terms, when used in this Article, have the
following meanings, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms expressed in the
singular shall be construed to
incorporate the plural, and vice versa, unless the context
otherwise requires.
Aerated Lagoon. (AL) means a basis of a specified depth to which
oxygen is supplied and in which waste-
water is treated on a flow-through basis.
Aerobic Treatment Unit. (ATU) means a waste-water treatment reactor
which mechanically diffuses
oxygen into a chamber containing waste-water and treats said
waste-water aerobically. An aerobic
treatment unit may operate continuously or intermittently (i.e.
batch) depending on design.
Alternative System - Any on-site sewage system consisting of a
pre-treatment unit and disposal
components other than a standard system for which the Department
may determine meets the
requirements of this Article for a renewable operating
permit.
Appeal - The administrative process that allows the Department
and/or the Appeals Board to consider
relief from any provision or requirement of the On-Site Sewage
Manual.
Appeals Board - Three members of the On-Site Wastewater Advisory
Committee, selected by the
Chairman of the Committee in each specific case, to consider relief
from strict compliance with
standards of the On-Site Sewage Manual.
(216-0516) Adopt... - 14 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 2
Applicant – A property owner or the property owner’s Authorized
Representative
Authorized Representative - Person or persons authorized by the
property owner to act on the
property owner’s behalf on matters pertaining to application for
permits and services or holder of
an easement sufficient to authorize the work on the land on which
the system is to be installed, to
represent the owner's or easement holder's interests.
Centralized Sewage Disposal System. Means the collection,
transportation, treatment and disposal of
any sewage from two (2) or more sources (source shall be defined as
a waste water discharge from any
residential, commercial, or recreational building and/or
establishment) by any method which meets
State and local minimum standards.
Centralized Wastewater System. Means a system of conduits,
treatment and disposal facilities in which
wastewater is collected and transported to a central area where
treatment and/or final disposal is
affected:
TYPES:
(A) CLUSTER WASTEWATER COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM
(CWCTDS).
Means a system for the collection, transportation, treatment and
disposal of any wastewater from at
least two (2) but no more than five (5) sources (sources shall be
defined as a waste-water discharge
from any single family residential, commercial unit, recreational
institutional building and/or
establishment with a maximum of 2500 gallons per day waste-water
discharge) by any method that
meets state and local standards.
(B) SMALL WASTEWATER COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
Means a system
for the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of any
waste-water from at least six (6), but
no more than ninety-nine (99) single family residential sources or
the equivalent flow.
(C) LARGE WASTEWATER COLLECTION, TREATMENT, AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
Means a system for the
collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of any
waste-water from more than ninety-nine (99)
single family residential sources or the equivalent flow.
Community Development Services Agency Director. The Director of the
Community Development and
Services Agency in the County of Yuba (CDSA Director).
Commercial project- Any project other than those defined as
residential.
Community Services District. Means any district formed in an
unincorporated territory to construct and
operate works for the collection, transportation, treatment, and
disposal of sewage in accordance with
procedures, rules and regulations of the California Government
Code.
Consultant - One of the following persons (exclusive of Division
personnel) retained to provide
services under this Article:
For Design of Systems:
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
The above persons as well as Certified Soil Scientist.
Contractor. A person who possesses an active General Engineering A
or Specialty C-36 or C-42 license
and in some specific cases a B Specialty, per the requirements
State of California Business and
Professions Code.
County Sanitation District. Means a district organized within an
incorporated or unincorporated territory
empowered to build and operate sewers, and sewage disposal or
treatment plants for the collection,
transportation and disposal of wastewater within or without the
district. Such district shall have been
formed in accordance with the procedures, rules and regulations of
the California Health and Safety
Code.
County Service Area. Means an area in an unincorporated territory
within the county that has been
designated by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the
procedures, rules and regulations of the
California Government Code for the collection, transportation,
treatment, and disposal of sewage within
the county service area.
Director - The Director of the Yuba County of Environmental Health
Department, or
his/her designated employee.
Department - The Yuba County Department of Environmental Health,
its Director and designated
employees.
Effective Sidewall Area. Means that portion of the sidewalls if a
leaching trench extending upward from
the bottom of the trench to a point six (6) inches above the invert
of the perforated pipe installed in the
leaching trench.
treatment of sewage effluent.
Electro-Osmosis System. (EOS) means a process whereby dissimilar
materials are buried on either side of
a soil absorption system drain field and an electric potential is
established in the soil water complex.
Environmental Health Department. Means the Environmental Health
Department included within the
Community Development and Services Agency.
Equivalent Flow. An amount equal to that which would be produced by
a single family residential source
and shall be measured on the basis of gallons per day. Such
measurements shall not be averaged out
over any other period of time. For purposes of calculating
equivalencies refer to the standards in the
On-Site Sewage Manual.
Experimental System - An alternative system under review by the
Wastewater Advisory Committee and
given only conditional approval by the Director for limited use
during the review period as specified in
the On-Site Sewage Manual.
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
which discharges effluent to both the atmosphere and soils. The
Evapotranspiration-Absorption Bed
contains: (1) a sand bed usually supporting plants; and (2)
waste-water distribution piping.
Failing On-Site System - Any system which discharges untreated or
inadequately treated sewage or
septic tank effluent directly or indirectly onto the ground
surface, into protected waters or into a
dwelling. Also, any system not operated in compliance with permit
conditions including, but not limited
to, operation, maintenance and monitoring requirements, use of
unapproved components, or
unapproved modifications to the originally permitted design.
Health Officer - Means the Health Officer of the County of
Yuba.
Industrial Waste - Any liquid, gaseous, radioactive, or solid waste
substance or a combination thereof
resulting from any process of industry, manufacturing, trade, or
business, or from the development or
recovery of any natural resources.
Intermittent Sand Filter - (ISF) means a bed of granular material
of a specific depth and usually underlain
by graded gravel and collecting piping to which waste-water is
applied intermittently for final treatment.
Land Application - (LA) means the disposal of treated waste-water
effluents, of a specified quality, by
application to land. Land application may be further defined as:
(1) slow rate; (2) rapid infiltration; (3)
overland flow; (4) spray irrigation, or (5) drip irrigation.
Land Use Project - Any entitlement process, initiated through the
Yuba County Planning Department
including, but not limited to, tentative maps, parcel maps, use
permits, certificates of compliance, and
minor boundary adjustments. Requirements in this Article apply only
to areas regulated by the
Department. Other County departments will have separate processes
and requirements.
Leaching Trench (Lines). Means the aggregate filled trenches
designed to accept septic tank effluent,
discharge from perforated pipes laid in trenches.
Local Authority – A public entity, as defined in Government Code
Section 53090 et seq. which is
empowered to plan, design, finance, construct, operate, maintain,
and abandon, if necessary, any
sewage system or expansion of any sewage system, and to provide
permits and to have supervision over
the location, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and
abandonment of on-site sewage
systems within a land development, and to design, finance,
construct, operate, and maintain any
facilities necessary for the disposal of wastes pumped from on-site
sewage systems and to conduct any
monitoring of surveillance programs as required for water quality
control purposes.
Minimum Useable Sewage Disposal Area (MUSDA) - The amount of ground
surface, expressed in square
feet, that is required when creating new lots or parcels in the
tentative or parcel map process. The
amount of land area is based on the percolation rate and the type
of leach field distribution method.
Mound-Means an on-site waste-water treatment system that utilizes a
permeable fill material and by
dispersion or uniform application of waste-water improves
absorption capabilities in areas containing
soils of limited permeability. A mound contains the following
parts: (1) the mound body fill material; (2)
the distribution bed; (3) the distribution manifold and laterals;
and (4) the topsoil cover.
(216-0516) Adopt... - 17 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 5
Other Districts. Means any other lawful entity formed under
California Law for the collection,
transportation, treatment and disposal of sewage either as of the
date of this chapter or in the future.
Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring (OM&M) Program - A
program developed by the Department,
as delineated in the On-Site Sewage Manual to insure the long-term
viability of all on-site sewage
systems. Depending upon the complexity of the system and/or the
environmental sensitivity of the area
of system placement, the program may range from educational support
to performance review and
preventative maintenance by certified maintenance providers.
On-Site Sewage Manual - The document containing implementing
standards and requirements of this
Article, including specific detail on acceptable on-site sewage
treatment and disposal systems and
processes, developed by the Department and the Wastewater Advisory
Committee and adopted by
resolution of the Board of Supervisor.
On-Site Sewage System – Any system of piping, treatment devices or
other facilities that convey, store,
treat, or dispose of sewage on the property where it originates or
on adjacent or nearby property under
the control of the user where the system is not connected to a
pubic sewer system.
Owner - Any person who alone, or jointly, or severally with
others:
1. Has legal title to any single lot, dwelling, dwelling unit, or
commercial facility;
2. Has care, charge, or control of any real property as applicant,
executor, executrix, administrator,
trustee or guardian of the estate of the holder of legal
title.
Person - Any individual (owner or authorized representative),
corporation, association, firm,
organization, partnership, or company.
Pressure Distribution System. Means the dispersion of waste-water
after treatment into a soil
absorption or filter reactor system by pressure so as to evenly
distribute the flow.
Primary Treatment. Means initial treatment of waste-water by
settling of solids in a tank type structure.
Protected waters- Lakes, bays, ponds, impounding reservoirs,
springs, wells, rivers, streams, creeks,
marshes, inlets, canals, and all other bodies of surface or
underground waters, natural or artificial, public
or private, which are within the jurisdiction of Yuba County or
other state or federal agencies.
Public Sewer System - Any sewer system constructed, installed,
maintained, operated and owned by or
for a municipality or public entity established for sewage disposal
purposes.
Public Utility District. Means a district organized in an
unincorporated territory, to acquire, construct,
own or operate revenue producing utilities for the disposition of
sewage in accordance with the
procedures, rules and regulations of the California Public
Utilities Code.
Public Water System. Means a system regardless of type of
ownership, for the provision of piped water
to the public for domestic use if such system has at least five (5)
service connections or regularly serves
an average of at least twenty-five (25) individuals daily at least
sixty (60) days of the year.
Regional Board. Means officials and personnel of the Central Valley
Regional Water Quality Control
Board. (CVWRCB or Regional Board)
(216-0516) Adopt... - 18 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
Registered Environmental Health Specialist. Means a Registered
Environmental Health Specialist or an
assistant Environmental Health Specialist as allowed by the Health
and Safety Code §541 working by
authorization of the County Health Officer.
Renewable Operating Permit (ROP) – That administrative document
issued by the Division authorizing
the initial and/or continued use of certain Alternative or
Experimental systems, as specified in the On-
Site Sewage Manual.
Sanitary District. Means a district organized within any territory
empowered to acquire, construct and
operate works for the collection transportation, treatment and
disposal of wastewater. Such district
shall have been formed in accordance with the procedures, rules and
regulations of the California Health
and Safety Code.
Secondary Treatment. Means a secondary treatment of wastewater
endeavoring to reduce solids,
oxygen demand, chemical constituents and pathogenic
micro-organisms.
Secondary Treatment – Pressure Distribution – Soil Absorption
(ST-PD-SAS) System. Means a waste-
water treatment system where a conventional septic tank or other
method is used for primary settling
and treatment followed by distribution of effluent into filter by
pressure to maintain even distribution
through said media. Such systems may be further defined as shallow
(less than 30 inches below surface)
relying on lateral or horizontal renovation or standard deep (more
than 30 inches below surface) relying
on vertical renovation through the media.
Serial Distribution. Means a method of wastewater disposal which
distributes all effluent flow into a
series of leaching trenches which are connected one after another
in such a manner that the first trench
must fill before overflowing into the second and subsequent
trenches.
Sewage – Wastewater that is designated as either “blackwater” or
“graywater.”
1. “Blackwater” means wastewater contaminated with human or kitchen
wastes, generally originating
from toilets and kitchen sinks. It includes, but is not limited to,
wastewater discharges from kitchen
sinks, garbage grinders, water closets, toilets, urinals or similar
fixtures alone or in combination with
other wastewater.
2. “Graywater” means wastewater, exclusive of blackwater or
industrial waste, deposited into plumbing
drain systems or exiting directly from wastewater generating
appliances. It includes, but is not limited
to, wastewater discharges from washing machines, bathtubs, showers,
bathroom washbasins, and
laundry tubs.
Sewage Entity. Means a public district or private organization
responsible for the collection,
transportation, treatment and disposal of sewage, under one (1)
administrative authority.
Sewer. Means a pipe on conduit for carrying sewage.
Site Evaluation - The first step in obtaining an on-site sewage
system construction permit or feasibility
approval in the entitlement process. The evaluation consists of
specific soils testing, such as soil pit
profiling and percolation rate.
Standard System - An on-site sewage system comprised of a
2-compartment septic tank for primary
treatment and gravel or chamber treatment and disposal trenches.
Effluent will flow to the trenches by
gravity, or may be pumped to the first distribution box of the
trenches.
(216-0516) Adopt... - 19 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 7
Tertiary Treatment. Means a third phase of waste-water treatment in
which dissolved material
suspended, organic constituents and inorganic constituents are
separated from the waste-water.
Vertical Separation - The depth of effective soil that exists
beneath the bottom of a subsurface soil
absorption system and some restrictive or limiting layer or feature
such as a water table, bedrock,
hardpan, unacceptable fine textured soils, or excessively permeable
material.
ARTICLE 2
X.XX.XXX. Applicability
The requirements of this Article shall apply to all on-site sewage
treatment, conveyance, and disposal
systems in Yuba County. For on-site systems approved under permit
from the Department prior to the
adoption of this Article, the conditions for system siting, design,
construction, operation, maintenance,
and monitoring approved at that time shall apply.
X.XX.XXX. On-Site Sewage Manual
A. The Yuba County On-Site Sewage Manual shall govern the siting,
design, installation, component
quality, operation, monitoring, and maintenance of on-site sewage
systems in Yuba County. Copies will
be maintained and made available to the public at the Department’s
office and on the department’s
website.
B. The Yuba County On-Site Sewage Manual shall be adopted by
resolution of the Yuba County Board of
Supervisors (Board). The Division, based on observed need or on
recommendation by the Wastewater
Advisory Committee, may propose modifications to the Manual. When
changes are proposed to the On-
Site Sewage Manual, the changes shall be presented to the Board for
adoption as an amending
resolution.
GENERAL
7.07.400 Sewage Disposal.
1. No person shall treat or dispose of sewage in any manner other
than by an approved on-site sewage
system, cluster system, public sewer system or other method meeting
the standards set forth in this
Article or the On-Site Sewage Manual.
2. Standard on-site sewage systems approved after the effective
date of this Article shall be sited and
designed so as to have a minimum vertical separation of 60 inches
of defined effective soil with a
percolation rate between 6 minutes per inch and 60 minutes per
inch. For sites that do not meet these
criteria acceptable alternative systems designs are identified and
described in the On-Site Sewage
Manual.
3. Every alternative On-Site Sewage System approved after the
effective date of this article shall be
subject to the Operation, Maintenance, and Monitoring Program as
specified in the On-Site Sewage
Manual.
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 8
4. No person shall construct, operate or maintain an on-site sewage
system or cluster system that does
not comply with the requirements of this Article, the conditions
specified in the On-Site System
Construction Permit, and the requirements outlined in the On-Site
Sewage Manual.
5. No person shall operate a failing on-site system.
6. No person shall connect any structure to an existing on-site
system where the total projected sewage
flow would be greater than the design flow specified in the
original On-Site System Construction Permit
or where, in the opinion of the Department, the connection of a new
and/or replacement structure to
an existing system would not meet the standards contained in this
Article or the On-Site Sewage
Manual, unless an Authorization Notice is obtained as set out in
the On-Site Sewage Manual.
7. No person shall discharge anything other than what is
specifically described as sewage, in this Article,
into any On-Site Sewage System.
8. No person shall operate a system constructed after the effective
date of this Article without a
completed (finaled) Septic System Construction permit.
9. No person shall maintain or operate a system for which the
Department has issued an order to
abandon the system.
10. An area where the soil and site conditions are acceptable for
installation of an onsite sewage system
shall be maintained for the purpose of system replacement also
known as the Repair Area. Except when
otherwise authorized by the Department, it shall consist of one
hundred percent of the normally needed
area. For any onsite sewage system servicing a commercial facility
the area required for system
replacement or Repair Area shall consist of two hundred percent of
the normally needed area.
7.07.410 Sewage Disposal Permit Required.
A. Permitting Requirements
1. The applicant shall make application for a system construction
permit on a form provided by
the Department. An application shall be deemed complete when it
contains all plot plans and
designs, as described in On-Site Sewage Manual, and all applicable
fees have been paid.
However, a permit shall not be required for servicing or replacing
an approved system’s
components with mechanical or electrical parts of the same type,
size or capacity; pumping of
septage; or making minor structural corrections to a septic
tank.
2. When required under the OM&M program, the Department may
require any person to obtain
a Renewable Operating Permit.
3. The Department may take action on the construction permit
application to approve,
conditionally approve, or deny, based upon compliance with the
requirements of this Article and
the On-Site Sewage Manual. Any permit conditions shall be binding
upon the property owner
and successive property owners for the life of the system.
4. Permits that authorize construction of on-site sewage systems
shall remain valid for a period
of 2 years from the date initially issued. Renewal procedures shall
be as set forth in the On-Site
Sewage Manual if additional time is required to complete
construction.
5. An applicant may transfer a valid permit to a new property owner
upon submitting a written
request for the transfer. Transfer of applicant may include an
administrative fee.
(216-0516) Adopt... - 21 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 9
6. The Department may deny any system construction permit
application that fails to comply
with the requirements of this Article or the On-Site Sewage Manual
for primary or replacement
system.
Any person abandoning/destroying an on-site system or system
component shall obtain a permit and do
so in accordance with the procedures specified in the On-Site
Sewage Manual.
C. Construction Inspection Requirements
The applicant shall grant the Department access to the property for
purposes of inspecting the system in
accordance with the requirements of this Article, the On-Site
Sewage Manual, and with any conditions
specified on the construction permit.
D. Appeal
An applicant may appeal a decision on a permit application using
the provisions set forth in X.XX.XXX.
7.07.420 Sewage Disposal Permit Fee. For each sewage disposal
permit application a fee, set by
resolution of the Yuba County Board of Supervisors, shall be
charged. Such fee shall be paid at the time
an application for a sewage disposal permit is filed at the
Department. In the event that an application
and design review is extensive or is not approved and requires
modifications and resubmittal additional
fees as outlined in the Yuba County fee ordinance may be
incurred.
7.07.440 Applicability of this Chapter. The requirements of this
chapter shall apply to all sewage
disposal and for any division of land in Yuba County approved as a
tract or parcel map and other land
use projects the EH Director determines appropriate after adoption
of this Chapter.
7.07.450 Location of Septic Tank, Leach Fields. Minimum distances
from all waste water disposal
systems shall be maintained as shown on Table I:
Distance Required From Minimum Horizontal Distance (in feet)
To Septic Tank To Building
Sewer Pipe
measured from the high water mark)
50 b 25 100
(216-0516) Adopt... - 22 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
Property Line (when domestic water
on adjacent parcels is provided by a
Public Water System)
10 -- 10 10
10 10 4h or 50’ max
NOTE: a This distance may be reduced to not less than twenty-five
(25) feet when the drainage piping is
constructed of materials approved for use within a building.
b When the installation is below the bottom of such body of water
the Environmental Health Specialist
may reduce the required setback to no less than twenty-five (25)
feet.
c Property line setback waiver may be approved by the Director
under special circumstances.
d 150 ft. from public water well with trenches under 10 ft in
depth. 200 ft from public water systems
between 10 and 20 ft. Dispersal systems greater than 20 ft. that
are within 600 ft. of a public water well,
the horizontal setback is required to achieve a two year travel
time, and shall be evaluated by a qualified
professional.
Areas which are not acceptable for the location of sewage disposal
systems include:
(1) Areas within any easement that is dedicated for surface or
subsurface improvement.
(2) Paved areas and driveways.
(3) Areas occupied or to be occupied by structures.
(4) Rock outcroppings.
7.07.460 Site Evaluation Requirements
A. Unless waived by the Division a site evaluation, as described in
the On-Site Sewage Manual, shall be
required on every existing or proposed lot or parcel prior to
obtaining an on-site sewage system permit
or any approval for the feasibility of on-site sewage system
capability.
B. When required, the site evaluation shall be conducted by the
applicant’s consultant and coordinated
with the Department so that Department personnel may be present for
any facet of testing in the
evaluation process.
C. The site evaluation will examine several factors for approval of
on-site sewage disposal including, but
not limited to, ground slope, soil textural characteristics,
effective soil depth, percolation rate,
horizontal setbacks, and available area for one hundred percent
system replacement.
(216-0516) Adopt... - 23 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 11
D. The Department may require that the site evaluation be conducted
during high rainfall periods of the
year as described in the On-Site Sewage Manual in order to
determine the maximum fluctuation of
depth to water below the surface of the ground prior to approving a
site for feasibility or construction of
an on-site system.
E. The Department may require a new site evaluation or other soils
testing if it determines that prior site
evaluation approvals were based on testing and/or reporting that
was incomplete, insufficient, or
incompatible with known information of a given area.
7.07.490 Soils Studies Required for Land Use Projects.
A. An applicant initiating a land use project shall utilize the
Department’s site evaluation process as
described in this Article and the Manual in determining the
suitability of on-site sewage disposal for all
such projects.
B. The applicant shall be responsible for initiating soils testing
that includes soil profile pits and
percolation rate determination for every proposed lot or parcel in
any subdivision that relies on on-site
sewage disposal system.
C. No subdivision map shall be recorded unless all proposed lots or
parcels which rely on an individual
sewage disposal system have an approved site evaluation report that
complies with the requirements of
the manual.
D. No subdivision map shall be recorded unless all proposed lots or
parcels which rely on an individual
sewage disposal system have an approved site evaluation report that
specifies the required minimum
useable sewage disposal area (MUSDA) in accordance with the area
requirements shown on Table One.
Table One. MUSDA Requirements
6-20 10,000
21-40 12,000
41-60 16,000
91-120*
*Sand-filter or equivalent required
E. Prior to any commercial project being given final Division
approval, the applicant shall
be responsible for establishing that all on-site sewage treatment
and disposal issues have
(216-0516) Adopt... - 24 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
been satisfactorily addressed by applicable site evaluation and/or
permitting.
F. No new lot or parcels shall be created where the parcel relies
on an on-site sewage system
which cannot be sited within the boundaries of the proposed lot or
parcel.
G. The Division may consider authorizing use of a cluster system
and specification of minimum
usable sewage disposal area requirements on a case-by-case basis
under the requirements
of this Article and the On-Site Sewage Manual.
H. Decisions made by the Staff Development Committee and Zoning
Administrator may be appealed
through the Planning Department appeal process set out in the Yuba
County Development Code.
I. This Article and/or the On-Site Sewage Manual shall not nullify
or supersede any provisions for on-site
sewage disposal in the County General Plan, any Community Plan, or
any other applicable plan of any
agency or government having jurisdiction. Where there is a
discrepancy between the Article and/or On-
Site Sewage Manual and any applicable plan, statute, or ordinance,
the stricter standard shall apply.
7.07.570 Cesspool and Sewer Wells Prohibited. It shall be unlawful
to use a cesspool or sewer well for
disposal of human excreta.
7.07.590 Deviations.
A. Any deviation from the requirements of this Chapter shall be
granted only with written approval of
the Director of the Environmental Health Department; however, no
deviation shall be granted if
reduction of requirements would present a health hazard.
B. Applications for deviations shall be made in writing on a form
prescribed by the Health Department.
Upon receipt of the application, the Health Department shall make
an investigation to determine
whether a deviation should be granted under the provisions of
Subsection (A) above. After conclusion of
the investigation, the Director of Environmental Health shall
prepare a written order of specific findings
of fact and reasons for granting or denying said deviation.
C. If the Director of the Environmental Health Department should
deny the application for deviations,
the applicant may file a written appeal to the Health Officer
within fifteen (15) calendar days after the
denial. A written response will be given within thirty (30)
calendar days.
D. If the Health Officer should deny the appeal for a deviation,
the applicant may file a subsequent
appeal with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within fifteen
(15) calendar days after the denial.
7.07.600 Health Officer’s Responsibility. In individual cases, the
Health Officer may be required to make
more stringent requirements than the standard required by this
Chapter where such higher
requirements are essential to maintain and protect public health
and safety.
7.07.610 Inspections.
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 13
A. A pre-issue inspection may be made prior to the issuance of a
sewage disposal permit to ascertain the
suitability of the site. A permit application will be denied when
the Director of the Environmental Health
Department determines the sewage disposal system will not function
in a sanitary manner.
B. An open trench inspection may be required if in the
Environmental Health Specialist’s opinion the
disposal site has extremely variable soil conditions.
C. Final inspection of each installation shall be made by an
Environmental Health Specialist before the
system is backfilled or covered. Should the system not pass final
inspection the Environmental Health
Specialist shall leave a signed and dated notice stipulating the
deficiencies.
D. An as-built site plan shall be provided to the Environmental
Health Specialist at the time of final
inspection. As-built drawings require measurements to all major
system components from two property
lines, distances of pipes between each component, and from the
house to each component. Locations
of wells shall be placed on as-built drawings with the appropriate
required setback radius shown.
7.07.620 Violations, Nuisances, Abatement. The disposal of sewage
in violation of the terms of this
Article and standards constitute a public nuisance and its
maintenance and operation may be abated by
any appropriate proceeding permitted by state or county law.
7.07.630 Acknowledgement of Owners Responsibility. Whenever the
installation, repair or any other
work is to be performed on a sewage disposal system, other than by
a contractor licensed by the State
of California to do such work, the owner at the time of securing
the sewage disposal permit, shall sign an
acknowledgement which shall be in the following form:
“In securing a sewage disposal permit for the above-identified
property, I acknowledge that I am fully
responsible for insuring that the sewage disposal system complies
with all requirements of the County
of Yuba’s sewage disposal ordinance (Chapter 7.07 of the Yuba
County Ordinance Code). I further
understand that should the sewage disposal system fail to comply
with any of the provisions of the
County’s ordinance, I may be denied the use of my property until
full compliance is made.”
ARTICLE 3
ARTICLE 4
On any parcel created prior to the adoption of this Article, and
where conditions on said parcel do not
meet the standards for a conventional or special design system as
set forth by Article 2 of this Chapter,
the Director may allow innovative alternative/advanced design
wastewater treatment and disposal
systems. This applies to repairs of failing on-site wastewater
treatment systems of existing dwellings or
small commercial establishments where replacement with a
conventional septic tank-soil absorption
system either standard or special systems is not feasible. This
shall also apply to new construction of
single family dwellings or small commercial establishments under
one ownership. Such systems shall be
limited as to number and type. The Director shall adopt and modify
as conditions warrant a Manual to
accomplish the purpose of this Article and to ensure the protection
of the public health and safety.
Alternative/Advanced systems shall require special application and
permit provisions. Such systems
shall require performance monitoring and sampling. The additional
cost of design review, monitoring,
and sampling shall be borne by the owner of the parcel and
monitoring stipulations shall be recorded on
(216-0516) Adopt... - 26 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
the deed for said parcel. Requirements for design review,
permitting, installation, inspection and
monitoring of alternative/advanced systems shall be listed in the
On-Site Waste Water Manual.
Monitoring of any on-site wastewater system employing aerobic
treatment device, filtration device, or
other alternative/advanced systems will be required for the entire
useful life of the system.
The owner of any on-site wastewater system employing aerobic
treatment device, filtration device, or
other alternative/advanced system will be required to obtain a
renewable permit to operate that
system.
Billing for the permit to operate shall be coordinated and
administered by the Department in
accordance with the requirements of Yuba County Ordinance Code,
Chapter 13. All charges shall
become delinquent if not paid within 30 days. Past due fees shall
be assessed in accordance with Yuba
County Ordinance, Chapter 13.
Delinquency billings shall notify the owner of the fees imposed and
the process for collection of
delinquent fees.
On an Annual Basis the Department shall present to the CDSA
Director a list of delinquent bills for
permit fees for hearing and delinquent proceedings. The Report of
Delinquent Accounts shall refer to
each separate parcel of real estate by description sufficient to
reasonably identify it, including Assessor’s
Parcel Number, together with the charges proposed to be assessed
against it. When used in Section
of Chapter 7 of this Ordinance Code, the term CDSA Director shall
mean the Yuba County
Community Development and Services Agency Director or his/her
designee.
Upon receipt by the CDSA Director of the Report of Delinquent
Accounts for the Department and at the
convenience of the County, the CDSA Director shall fix a time, date
and place for holding a hearing with
respect to the Report and any appeals, protests or objections
thereto. The Department shall cause
notice of the time and place of hearing to be mailed to the owner
not less than ten days prior to the
date of the hearing. At the hearing, The CDSA Director or his
designee shall hear and consider all
appeals, objections and protests, if any, to said Report referred
to in said notice. Upon conclusion of the
hearing, the CDSA Director or his designee may adopt, revise,
change, reduce or modify any charge or
charges or overrule any or all objections and shall make a
determination upon the charge or charges as
described in said Report. The CDSA Director’s determination shall
be final. All costs incurred by CDSA to
hold the hearing and confirm the report to the Board of Supervisors
shall be shared among the owners
of the permits at the hourly rate established in the Yuba County
Consolidated Fee Schedule (Yuba
County Ordinance, Chapter 13).
After the conclusion of the hearing process, the amount of the
assessment is immediately due and
payable. In the event that the same is not paid within ten days of
the conclusion of the hearing, and
upon receipt of the final Report by the CDSA Director, the CDSA
Director shall initiate proceedings to have
the delinquent unpaid amount added onto the real property tax role
for the real property to which the
permit to operate has been issued. Should be advised by county
counsel on the legality of this.
The CDSA Director, after proper notice and hearing provided herein,
is authorized by these provisions to
declare that delinquency charges and penalties on annual operating
permit collection amounts, as set
forth in the Report by the Department, and after confirmation by
the Board of Supervisors by resolution,
be collected on the property tax roll. They may be collected and
shall be subject to the same penalties
and the same procedure and sale in case of delinquency as provided
for these taxes. An administrative
(216-0516) Adopt... - 27 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 15
fee, in the amount established in Yuba County Ordinance, Chapter 13
may be added to the delinquent
amount.
Upon satisfaction of the entire delinquent amount imposed pursuant
to this Section, the County will
upon request furnish a paid receipt. Upon payment all
administrative charges assessed pursuant to this
Section, as well as interest accrued thereon, shall be retained by
the County and not paid to the
Department. The balance of any collection made and the interest
accrued thereon shall be forwarded
to the Department.
Payments on Behalf of Owner Permitted. Nothing in this chapter is
intended to prevent an
arrangement, or the continuance of an existing arrangement, under
which payments for permit fees are
made by a tenant or tenants, or any agent, on behalf of the owner;
however, any such arrangement will
not affect the owner’s obligation to the County or to the
Department for payment for such service.
Payment for Services Tendered. The Department shall be entitled to
payment from the owner for
services tendered hereunder and the Department shall be entitled to
initiate a civil action to collect such
payment.
Agreements, rules and regulations. The Board of Supervisors may, by
agreement with the Department
or by separate resolution, implement rules and regulations to carry
out and promote the provisions of
this Chapter.
Article 5
7.07.940 Violations, Nuisances, Abatement. The disposal of sewage
in violation of the terms of this
Chapter and/or the standards established in this Chapter is hereby
determined to constitute a public
nuisance and its maintenance and operation may be abated by any
appropriate proceeding permitted
by State or County law. (#1291)
7.07.950 Appeal. Any person whose application for a permit under
sections 7.07.410 and 7.07.430 has
been denied or granted conditionally may appeal to the
Environmental Health Appeals Board ("Appeals
Board"). The Appeals Board shall consist of five members appointed
by the Yuba County Board of
Supervisors and holding office at its pleasure to wit: a contractor
licensed to install private sewage
disposal systems in California; a registered environmental health
specialist; a medical doctor; a
registered or professional civil engineer; and a member of the
public. The Appeals Board shall designate
one of these members as its chairman.
(1) To be effective, an appeal must be written and delivered to the
Yuba County Environmental Health
Department within 30 calendar days after the date of the action
being appealed. Appeals that do not
comply with this paragraph (1) will be rejected. Filing of an
appeal that is rejected will not toll the time
within which an appeal must be filed.
(2) The written appeal shall include a statement explaining the
grounds for appeal. Only the following
grounds will be considered: (a) disputed issues of fact; and (b)
disputed interpretations of statutes,
ordinances, and other laws and regulations so long as appellant's
interpretation does not waive the
requirements of this chapter or, of any regulations properly issued
if such waiver would result in a
violation of mandatory state laws or regulations. The written
appeal shall also include a copy of the
(216-0516) Adopt... - 28 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
plans and specifications for the proposed septic system; a
site-evaluation report describing the location
and physical characteristics of the site (e.g., soil type, water
table) for the proposed system; and the
appellant's name, phone number, and mailing address.
(3) At the Hearing, the appellant may present any written, oral, or
physical evidence that bears on the
issues set forth in the written appeal. The appellant may appear
personally or by an appropriate and
qualified engineer.
(4) The Appeals Board shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations
for its investigations, meetings, and
hearings. These rules and regulations shall include the following
minimum provisions:
(A) A hearing on an appeal shall begin within 30 calendar days and
conclude within 45 calendar days
after the appeal is received by the Yuba County Environmental
Health Department.
(B) Notice of hearing shall be mailed to the appellant and his or
her representative at least 10 calendar
days before the scheduled hearing.
(C) At any time before the hearing begins, the appellant may move,
orally or in writing, to disqualify an
Appeals Board member from participating. The challenged member
shall be disqualified if the remaining
members find by a majority that a fair and impartial hearing cannot
be had because of the challenged
member's bias or conflict of interest, and the remaining members
shall proceed with the appeal. If more
than two members are disqualified, the Yuba County Board of
Supervisors shall appoint temporary
replacements who have the same general qualifications as the
disqualified members. The replacements
shall hear only the appeal for which they are appointed.
(D) The Appeals Board shall not hear an appeal unless at least
three members are present. After the
hearing, the Appeals Board shall do one or more of the following:
affirm the action under appeal, in
whole or in part; reverse the action under appeal, in whole or in
part; or modify the action under appeal,
in whole or in part. Any action by the Appeals Board shall be by
vote of at least a majority of the
members who hear the appeal.
(E) The Appeals Board shall prepare a written decision, which shall
include findings of fact, and shall
provide both the Director of the Yuba County Environmental Health
Department and appellant with a
copy of the decision within 20 calendar days after the
hearing.
(F) The Director of the Yuba County Environmental Health Department
shall serve ex officio as secretary
of the Appeals Board.
(G) The Appeals Board may, at their discretion, visit the site for
the proposed septic system before
rendering its decision.
(5) All decisions by the Appeals Board are final. There is no right
of appeal to the Yuba County Board of
Supervisors.
(6) The Appeals Board shall not waive the requirements of this
chapter or, of any properly issued
regulations if such waiver would result in a violation of mandatory
state laws or regulations.
(216-0516) Adopt... - 29 of 132
On-Site Sewage Ordinance
April 2016
Page | 17
(7) When hearing and deciding an appeal, the Appeals Board shall
give priority to protecting public
health and the quality of ground and surface waters within the
County. (#1163, #1405)
(216-0516) Adopt... - 30 of 132
ON-SITE SEWAGE MANUAL
Onsite Sewage Manual
Table Of Contents
Chapter 2. Site Evaluation Requirements
____________________________________________ 5
Chapter 3. Septic Permit Requirements
______________________________________________ 8
Chapter 4. The Issued Permit
_____________________________________________________ 11
Chapter 5. System Inspections
____________________________________________________ 13
Chapter 6. System Repairs, Modifications, or Expansions
_______________________________ 14
Chapter 7. Authorization Notice
___________________________________________________ 16
Chapter 8. Standard System
Requirements__________________________________________ 17
Chapter 10. Capping Fill System Requirements
_______________________________________ 30
Chapter 11. Pressurized Distribution System Requirements
______________________________ 32
Chapter 12. Pump System Requirements
____________________________________________ 37
Chapter 13. Deep Trench System Requirements
______________________________________ 39
Chapter 14. Steep Slope System Requirements
_______________________________________ 40
Chapter 15. Intermittent Sand Filter System Requirements
_______________________________ 42
Chapter 16. Mound System Requirements
___________________________________________ 43
Chapter 17. System Abandonment Requirements
______________________________________ 44
Chapter 18. Holding Tank Requirements
_____________________________________________ 46
Chapter 19. Vault Privy Requirements
_______________________________________________ 48
Chapter 20. Portable Toilet Requirements
____________________________________________ 49
Chapter 21. Seepage Pit Requirements
______________________________________________ 50
Chapter 22. Cluster Systems
______________________________________________________ 51
Chapter 23. Seasonal Wet Weather Testing
__________________________________________ 54
(216-0516) Adopt... - 32 of 132
Onsite Sewage Manual
Chapter 24. Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring
___________________________________ 55
Chapter 25. Experimental System Requirements
______________________________________ 66
Chapter 26. Off-Site Sewage Easements
____________________________________________ 70
Chapter 27. Large System Requirements
____________________________________________ 71
Chapter 28. Septic Tank Materials and Construction
___________________________________ 73
Chapter 29. Distribution Box Materials and Construction
________________________________ 76
Chapter 30. Diversion Valve Materials and Construction
________________________________ 77
Chapter 31. Dosing/Pump Tank Materials and
Construction______________________________ 78
Chapter 32. Effluent Pump, Control, and Alarm Materials And
Construction _________________ 79
Chapter 33. Pipe Materials and Construction
_________________________________________ 80
Chapter 34. Vault Privy and Portable Toilet Materials and
Construction ____________________ 82
Chapter 35. Artificial Drain Design, Materials and Construction
___________________________ 84
Chapter 36. Tables
______________________________________________________________
86
Chapter 38. Fees
_______________________________________________________________
93
Onsite Sewage Manual
This On-Site Sewage Manual (hereafter “Manual”) establishes
technical and procedural requirements for
on-site, subsurface sewage disposal. The Yuba County Environmental
Health Department (hereafter,
“Department”) is the agency responsible for the application of this
Chapter.
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Central Valley
Region) is the state agency
responsible for the protection of ground and surface water quality.
While the Department administers
this Manual, the Regional Board retains the authority to issue
permits for any discharge of waste that
may affect water quality, including discharges from individual
systems. The Regional Boards adopt
“Basin Plans” to define beneficial uses of water, adopt water
quality objectives, and provide guidelines
to protect water quality.
This Manual, adopted by Yuba County Board of Supervisors Resolution
in Month, Year, will be updated
periodically and as required by the Yuba County Wastewater Advisory
Committee and the Department,
with updating Resolutions presented to the Board of Supervisors
when changes have been made.
Every effort has been made to make this Manual user-friendly by the
use of cross references throughout
the document. As changes are made to the Manual, cross references
throughout the Manual are also
subject to change. Failure of a cross-reference to indicate the
appropriate Chapter of requirements due
to these changes does not void the applicability of the
requirements.
(216-0516) Adopt... - 34 of 132
Onsite Sewage Manual
A. Review Department Records
In general, all Department property files are public information.
You are encouraged to review the
property file before you make an application for a site evaluation.
An approved Site Evaluation Report is
not required where soils testing was conducted prior to the
adoption of this Manual and the
Department determines that the data on record is adequate for
design purpose.
B. Obtain a Consultant
Unless waived by the Department, it will be necessary for you to
obtain the services of an approved
consultant (Professional Engineer, Registered Geologist, or
Registered Environmental Health Specialist)
to conduct the site evaluation. The consultantg will work with you
and the Department, and assist you in
making important decisions affecting your parcel. The consultant is
the person that performs your
percolation tests, examines your soil test pit, and prepares the
site evaluation report.
C. Submit an Application and Pay the Required Fee
1. You must submit an application for a site evaluation to the
Department and pay the required
fee. The Yuba County Board of Supervisors sets the fees as part of
the Consolidated Fee
Ordinance, Chapter 13.
2. The application form for this service must be filled out
completely by the owner or the
owner's agent.
3. It is important that sufficient information be provided with the
application. This must include:
a. An accurate location map. We must be able to find your
property.
b. A legible copy of the Assessor's plat.
c. Additional information will be helpful. This could include: a
copy of the survey map (if
available), location of wells, streams, ponds, drainage ways,
proposed house site,
existing buildings, rock outcrops, easements, proposed driveways,
and so forth.
D. Schedule the Site Evaluation
Your consultant will schedule an appointment with the Department to
meet at your property to perform
the soils tests. The “soils test pits" or “soil mantles” are
excavations with a backhoe to examine the
different soil layers. It is essential that the property boundaries
are located and clearly identified.
E. Conduct the Site Evaluation
1. Your consultant, the backhoe and operator, and the Department
representative will all meet
at the property.
Onsite Sewage Manual
6 | P a g e
2. A minimum of three (3) soils test pits will be excavated in an
area proposed for placing a
system. In some cases, more soils test pits will be needed to find
a suitable area for the sewage
disposal system.
3. Along with the soils test pits, the overall site will be
evaluated by the Department and your
consultant for other considerations, such as slope, leaking
irrigation ditches, setbacks, road cuts,
etc. The Department will complete a report for each site evaluated
after receiving and reviewing
the consultant’s site evaluation. The report will contain
information that defines all areas tested,
and comments on the ability to dispose of sewage.
4. All soils test pits must be protected to prevent people and
animals from falling in. There are
specific State laws, which also regulate this. For greatest safety,
the soil test pits shall be
backfilled upon completion of the evaluation. Where sufficient
information is already available,
the Department may waive the requirement for soils test pits.
F. Have Percolation Tests Performed
Percolation tests are typically required before a site evaluation
report can be completed. Percolation
tests must be done according to the requirements in this
Manual.
G. Obtain a Site Evaluation Report
The primary purpose of the site evaluation is to determine whether
or not a parcel can accommodate a
system and what type of system standard or alternative may be
approved. Your consultant will be
responsible for performing all required testing. The Department’s
role is one of verification and to serve
as a resource. This prudent system of “checks and balances” has
proven to provide for the best possible
project in compliance with the Yuba County On-Site Sewage Disposal
Ordinance, Chapter 7.
If a suitable site is identified at the site evaluation, this will
be confirmed in the Department’s site
approval report. It also helps preserve property rights by
establishing a probable future sewage disposal
site for setback considerations when improvements are proposed for
neighboring properties, such as
wells, ponds, etc. However, if the site evaluation does not
identify a suitable area, the site evaluation
and approval reports will not support the issuing of a sewage
disposal system permit and will not
protect the proposed area from improvements on neighboring
properties.
1. Regardless of the outcome of the site evaluation, the consultant
for the site must provide
the Department a site evaluation report, including a scaled (1”=
50’ minimum) site plan
identifying the location and results of all soils testing
performed. The soils test results
provided must show the minimum information required on forms
specified by the
Department. For sites where a sewage disposal area is identified,
the proposed system area
and layout must also be shown.
2. A site approval report must be prepared by the Department before
a sewage disposal
system permit application can be accepted. (Exception: a site
approval report is not required
where soils testing was conducted prior to the adoption of this
Manual and the Department
(216-0516) Adopt... - 36 of 132
Onsite Sewage Manual
7 | P a g e
finds that the site and prior test results are acceptable.) The
site approval report is not a
permit to install a system.
3. The site approval report will specify the type(s) of system(s),
if any, that can be approved for
a specific property. It will also note any specific limitations or
conditions that may be part of
an approval for a system..
4. A site approval report is transferable and stays with the land
records.
5. An area approved for a system in a site approval report will be
considered the same as an
already installed system, for purposes of determining on-site or
off-site setbacks. An owner
may revoke a site approval report by written request to the
Department and by establishing
a new site.
6. Future changes in laws governing sewage disposal systems may
require a modification to
the site approval report.
7. The site approval report and approval for a sewage disposal area
are based upon property
conditions at the date of the report. Changes made to the property
may render that area
unacceptable. Examples of types of changes include: grading, cuts
and fills, new buildings,
wells, ponds, etc. Owners must take care not to encumber or alter
the approved area in a
manner that affects the future system.
(216-0516) Adopt... - 37 of 132
Onsite Sewage Manual
A. Permit Required
A sewage disposal system permit is needed in order for any person
to install, replace/repair (except as
provided for in Article 8.24.080), abandon, or change a system.
This applies whether you are an owner,
tenant, contractor, company or public agency. A septic permit is
valid for two (2) years from the date it
is issued. It may be renewed under procedures described in Chapter
4.
B. Site Approval Report Required
A site approval report must be on file at the Department before a
sewage disposal system permit
application for a new installation can be submitted. (Exception: A
site approval report is not required
where soils testing was conducted prior to the adoption of this
Chapter and the Department finds that
the site and prior test results are acceptable.) In general, all of
the Department’s property files are public
information, and you are encouraged to review your property’s file
before you make an application.
C. Sewage Disposal System Permit Application
The owner or the owner's authorized representative must fill out
the application for the permit. The
application must be filled out completely. You can obtain an
application for a sewage disposal system
permit (hereafter "Permit") at the Department offices or on the
Yuba County website (www.
co.yuba.ca.us).
D. Apply for the Sewage Disposal System Permit and pay the required
fee
Make sure your application is complete, and that a site approval
report prepared by the Department is
in the Department’s file. (Exception: a site approval report is not
required where soils testing was
conducted prior to the adoption of this Chapter and the Department
finds that the site and prior test
results are acceptable.) You must pay a permit fee when you make
your application. The permit fee
varies with the type of permit, and the Yuba County Ordinance,
Chapter 13 determines the fee amount.
A complete application includes, at a minimum:
1. A good location map with clear instructions on how to find the
property (conditions may have
changed since the site evaluation).
2. Two (2) copies of a site development plan drawn to scale. Scale
must be a minimum of one (1)
inch equals fifty (50) feet. An example of a site development plan
is available from the
Department. The plan must be drawn so that it is clear and
readable. Include the following
information